#tbt: still believe in what you do

On Thursdays, I throw-back to images or words that I shot or wrote years ago, and re-share them here. The images and words in this post -- slightly re-edited -- were ones I shared this week 3 years ago, shortly after visiting Texas Children's Hospital. I share them again today, because they still ring true for me. I hope they ring true for you, too.

I became a lawyer because I loved the intellectual stimulation -- the experience of exercising that particular analytical part of brain. There are aspects of this that I truly miss. But what I don't miss is practicing law in an industry that I had no passion around. I had a great career in the energy industry, but the simple fact is that unlike many of my colleagues, I didn't love the energy industry. So during those times that I had hellacious days, I couldn't convince myself that least at least the work that I was doing was for the greater good.

When I look at the folks I've meet for the past six years (up to and including yesterday), I hold no illusions that their jobs don't contain really tough days -- and in some cases, days that are likely difficult beyond my imagination. But I so admire the fact that for the most part, it appears that they all believe in the work they do. They ultimately believe that what they do has real purpose.

I think that maybe that's ultimately a big key to having a life you love: having the conviction that what you do, whether to earn a living or otherwise, serves. I think, when you do, you can probably endure most rough days. And know that you and what you do can be for the greater good.